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Goodbye LJ
Long time, no write.
I've been busy as a bee, and for one reason or another haven't really felt like writing much. I'm thinking of giving it another go, but I'd like to try it on a new site - Politics and Chocolate Chip Cookies.
We'll see how that goes. -
Part of Building That Trust
Part of what you would need to do in creating these 'safe havens' is make a clear statement of the intent, and try to get everyone living there to buy into it. Its like when taking over a platoon or company - eventually you should have a 'command philosophy'. A clear statement for your soldiers explaining what you think is important, how you will ( Read more... ) -
Fighting an Insurgency
I guess first of all the usual caveats - I am by no means an expert on counter-insurgency operations. Or even infantry operations. I'm also coming up with this stuff without tying it to our own logistics and financing, so it may not even be practical. Oh, and I am pulling bits and pieces I've heard from places - like the whole 'inkblot' ( Read more... ) -
Good Summary
Of the same things I'd heard last year, the same problems and issues. Logistics is broken, they don't know how to use NCO's (or build an NCO Corps), and there is a definite lack of trust.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/magazine/20iraq.htmlOf course, on the last page they talked about the need to put these criticisms in perspective "As for ( Read more... ) -
Fighting Terrorists
Years ago, while trying to learn more about all that fun interrogation/neurolinguistic stuff, I borrowed the book "Killing Rage", an autobiography by a former IRA member named Eamon Collins. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1862070474/026-3012326-2515614?v=glance&n=266239 He talks about what drew him to the IRA, how he withstood interrogation ( Read more... ) -
The War Against Terror
I guess, first a rehash of something I've thought about and I think written pieces of earlier. Namely, what The War Against Terror truly means. It seems pretty obvious to me that terrorism is at threat that pays no attention to national borders, that gets support from a variety of sources, and will move/adjust as necessary to continue the fight ( Read more... )